Q&A with student researcher Ethan Brown

Ethan Brown. Photo supplied.

Ethan Brown, a MSc student in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, is exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and health and wellness. Through his research, he aims to develop AI-driven tools that democratize access to personalized health support while fostering physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

We spoke to him about his research.

Could you tell us about the program you’re enrolled in and what inspired you to choose it?

I’m enrolled in the MSc thesis program specializing in behavioural medicine. My decision to pursue this field wasn’t a single "aha moment" but rather a culmination of my interests in technology, human behaviour and mental/physical well-being. I’ve always been fascinated by how humans adapt to challenges, and I wanted to explore how AI can help people not just survive but thrive across all dimensions of wellness — especially physical, emotional and spiritual. I define “spiritual” as the connection to a bigger picture, whatever that may be for each person. 

This opportunity also offered a chance to connect the seemingly random dots in my life — like starting and leaving computer science — and to connect my academic and personal journeys into a cohesive narrative, one that’s only becoming clear with the benefit of hindsight.

Your research focuses on the intersection of AI and health and wellness. What led you to this area of study?

This project came about when preparation met opportunity. I was extremely fortunate to connect with my supervisor, Geri Ruissen, who has provided immense support, mentorship and project scaffolding — both personally and professionally.

This connection worked because I’ve always wrestled with questions about well-being — personally, professionally and academically. The idea of using AI to provide meaningful wellness support fascinates me because it bridges the gap between logic and empathy — combining algorithms with the human experience. I wanted to explore how AI could be designed not only to understand people but also to help people navigate their desire to grow and flourish. It’s a field that challenges our ethical and philosophical assumptions about technology while offering the potential to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. I suppose I just find all that quite neat!

How do you envision AI transforming health and wellness support, and what excites you about this future?

AI has the potential to democratize access to health and wellness resources — providing low-to-no-cost, immediate and personalized support to people who might otherwise face barriers to care. Many current personalized approaches, such as working one-on-one with a professional/clinician, are time- and cost-intensive, limiting their accessibility to a small proportion of the population. AI, particularly through machine learning, can offer personalized support at scale, making it feasible for broader communities.

What excites me most is that this approach doesn’t just lighten the load on health-care providers — it lowers the barriers for people seeking care. We can then focus on flourishing, rather than treating – prevention, rather than reaction. While we’re all well aware of the risks and fears associated with AI, these concerns are always at the forefront of my design thinking. I believe the future of health support lies in striking the right balance: using AI to enhance human connection and care, rather than replace it. Getting tools, and control, into the hands of the user/patient, as well as supporting clinicians directly. 

Who is your research supervisor and how has their mentorship impacted your development?

My supervisor, Geri Ruissen, has been instrumental in my growth as a student and researcher. Geri has helped me think practically and pragmatically without stifling my dreams, questions and explorations. She’s encouraged my independence while providing a safe framework for trying, failing and — most importantly — failing better. Her mentorship recognizes that growth is a developmental arc, and she’s tailored her guidance to suit me best. If there were hiccups, we adjusted on the fly, and I’ve always felt supported. I wouldn’t have come this far without her steady hand and trust in my process. Any success I’ve achieved is thanks to the incredible people who have supported me — Geri, not least among them.

What have been some of the most rewarding moments in your academic journey?

The most rewarding moments are always about people — connecting with new individuals and exploring new ideas. There’s something transcendent about a great conversation. The words flowing from your mouth — like the thoughts in your head—emerge from an arcane place, heard for the first time by both you and the person across from you. This idea has never felt more true than now, as I’ve had the privilege of connecting with the brilliant and fascinating people academia has brought into my life. Most rewarding of all, though, is when I can share my own catastrophic failures and help someone else navigate their challenges a little faster. If it took me nine months to figure something out and I can help someone do it in three — that’s the good stuff. I think they call it mentorship.

What do you hope to achieve through your research, and how do you see it impacting your field or community?

My project now is but a small piece of a larger puzzle. However, moving forward, I want to develop real tools that truly help real people. Right now, that looks like creating technology for adolescents and young adults struggling with meaning, motivation and physical or emotional well-being. By passively tracking factors such as emotions, physical activity, context and phone use, this proposed system can use machine learning to deliver personalized advice that evolves with the user’s habits and psychology. The goal is to help users build confidence, find purpose and improve their relationships and well-being. While the scale of this work is still taking shape, my priority is ensuring it remains grounded in practical, tangible impact. 

Is there any advice you’d give to students who are just starting out in this program?

Embrace the fact that your identity will shift. Identity isn’t just something you generate internally — it’s also mirrored, expected and sometimes imposed by others. The key is to take Socrates seriously and embrace the reality of not knowing. Being a student is a blessing: It’s a chance to ask “why” like a five-year-old, which often births more wisdom than a scholar’s certainty.

Imposter syndrome is real, but it’s also a signal, not noise — it means your expectations for yourself might be ahead of where you currently are, and that’s OK. You’re a student. You’re not supposed to know everything. You’re supposed to fail, try again, fail better and grow. Remember: You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t meant to be. You’re bright, probably conscientious, and possibly creative (among all your other beautiful human qualities of course). Those qualities will serve you well — so trust in that and trust in yourself.

How has being part of the university and the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation influenced you academically and personally?

This faculty’s breadth of research topics and perspectives has challenged me to think and see differently. Some of my greatest growth has come not from what I was supposed to study but from being challenged to think in new ways and engage with differing perspectives — and sometimes butting heads.

Ultimately, it all comes back to people. The faculty here is filled with fascinating individuals, each incredible in their unique way. Learning to integrate pluralism while choosing a path forward has been invaluable. I’ve come to understand that truth is a journey, a triangulation and deeply elusive. Facts alone aren’t enough — they’re part of a larger story we’re constantly trying to refine.

And through all of this, I’ve realized that love is the only foundation that makes sense. It’s where we can find common ground, and from there we move forward.